Michael Phelps Seeks a 20th Gold Medal to Avenge his London Olympics Loss to South Africa’s Chad le Clos in Primetime Tonight on NBC

Ryan Lochte Makes His Rio Debut With Hopes of a Fourth Consecutive Gold in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay

Simone Biles Leads Women’s U.S. Gymnastics Team in Gold Medal Final

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 9, 2016 – Coming up tonight on NBC Olympics’ coverage of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

Swimming coverage heats up tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, live (ET/CT), featuring American swimmers Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and Ryan Lochte. Ledecky competes in the highly-anticipated women’s 200m freestyle final and looks for her second gold medal in Rio. Phelps seeks a 20th gold medal as he faces off in the men’s 200m fly final against London winner Chad le Clos of South Africa, while Lochte makes his Rio debut, attempting to secure a fourth consecutive gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Three-time reigning world all-around champion Simone Biles and “Fierce Five” members Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman lead Team USA into the women’s gymnastics final.

Following are highlights from today’s coverage of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on NBC and the networks of NBCUniversal:

Swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines on women’s 100m breaststroke gold medalist Lilly King’s criticisms of Russia’s Yulia Efimova: “I think it is time for athletes of today to take a stand. I thought Lilly King was awesome in speaking out about it and making a difference.”

Gaines on the viral #PhelpsFace moment between Phelps and Chad le Clos in the ready room: “I have not laughed so hard in my life watching that ready room…Michael looked like Darth Vader, he was ready to go and I think you are going to see that same type of drama tonight. Le Clos didn’t take his eyes off Phelps in the ready room or when he got on the deck. It is going to be great television tonight.”

Gaines on the women’s 200m freestyle this evening: “Sarah Sjöström is the only one that has the capability to give Katie Ledecky a race. But I still think at the end of the day Ledecky is the one to beat. I don’t think Federica Pellegrini is in the same class today as Sjöström and Ledecky. If Katie Ledecky wins this one it may be clear sailing to winning four gold medals.”

Analyst Kevin Barnett as the U.S. men’s volleyball team went down two sets to one against Italy: “If the Americans lose this match in four, their chances look bleak. It is going to depend on what Canada does, but that 3-0 loss to Canada looms large.”

Analyst Julie Swail on the U.S. women’s water polo team: “This is a young but very successful team. They have the physicality and speed they need. They also have three players who are still teenagers, and that is almost unheard of in the world of water polo. They have really established themselves on the world stage. They hold all five major titles. Since 2013 they have not lost a major tournament.”

Click here to see highlights from the U.S. vs. Spain water polo match.

***

RUGBY – NBCSN

Analyst Brian Hightower on Fiji’s passion for rugby, prior to the men’s match vs. Brazil: “There are about 900,000 people in Fiji. There are probably about 899,000 of them watching this game right now.”

Note: Fiji defeated the Netherlands 40 to 12.

Hightower coming out of halftime during the men’s U.S. vs. Argentina match: “It’s always a tight contest between the United States and Argentina. In the halftime huddle the players are talking about dealing with that pressure and protecting the ball so they can play their game. Argentina just hasn’t allowed it yet.”

Note: Argentina defeated the U.S. 17-14.

***

BASKETBALL – NBCSN

Play-by-play commentator Mike Gorman on the courtside environment during the men’s basketball match between Brazil and Spain: “I think you can safely say there is a home court advantage. This crowd is remarkable today!”

Analyst Fran Fraschilla on Brazil’s 66-65 victory over Spain: “I have to give Brazil credit, they were down 30 to Lithuania in the opening game, but they battled back today. They had intensity from the opening tip until the final play.”

Play-by-play announcer Steve Weissman on U.S. tennis star Madison Keys: “Simone Biles said her goal is to not think when she is out there. It’s the same thing for Madison Keys. When Keys just reacts, beautiful things transpire.”

Analyst James Blake on American singles player Steve Johnson’s composure and ability to win: “He didn’t panic. I think that’s also just his personality. He’s not going to panic when things aren’t going well…You see here he’s playing well in singles and in doubles. He has one of those innate abilities to win. He finds ways on the court whether it be with a big serve, a big forehand, moving well, the intangibles. He’s one of those guys that seems to win a lot of those broken points.”

Weissman on the importance of Rio to Rafael Nadal as he squared off against Italy’s Andreas Seppi in the men’s singles: “Rafael is the flag bearer both literally and figuratively. He was asked to carry the flag for Spain at the Opening Ceremonies in London, but had to pull out of the games with an injury. It was extra important for him to be here in Rio. He said he did not want to pass up that opportunity twice. He did not know how many more times he may get that chance.”

***

EQUESTRIAN – USA NETWORK

Play-by-play announcer Randy Moss on France winning gold in team eventing: “France against all odds! No members of the team had ever competed in an Olympic Games. France takes gold – the French are ecstatic.”

Moss on German rider Michael Jung winning gold in individual eventing: “Back-to-back gold’s for Jung – Germany took team silver when they were expected to win team gold, but Michael Jung comes through…an eventing machine.”

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. The 2012 London Olympics were watched by 217 million Americans across the networks of NBCUniversal, making it the most-watched event in U.S. television history.